So, you’re thinking of taking up digital art, eh? (Sorry, don’t mind the Canadian.) Digital art may seem intimidating, but with the right approach, anyone can master this evolving art form. Here are some steps to help you get started with digital art:

Research

Thanks to the digital world we live in, it isn’t hard to learn a new skill. It can be as easy as a Google search, but it helps to know what you’re looking for.

Start by looking at websites or blogs about digital art. Along with videos and tutorials, most will have forums where you can learn certain methods from other artists. This is where a lot of beginners come to pick up tips and tricks, so you will not be the only one starting from scratch. Here are a few to get you started:

After doing your research, you will probably come to the conclusion that it’s too soon to invest in professional digital art software. To ease yourself into this field, you need easy-to-use, reasonably-priced painting software, such as Painter Lite.

Painter Lite offers a stripped-down version of Painter, with the functionality to create professional works of art. It provides a realistic digital art experience with intuitive brushes, rich paper textures, and other artistic tools.

Painter Master Mike Thompson demonstrates the power of Painter Lite to aspiring artists.

Painting with a mouse is not an easy way to get started, so you should invest in a tablet and pen. Wacom has inexpensive options that are compatible, and featured in a bundle, with Painter Lite. Sounds like a match made in heaven, eh? (Again, very sorry)

Sharing your work online can help you inspire others, or get advice on your work. Artists are always learning; don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from others. The Painter Facebook page is a great place to start.

You can also find local art events and showcase your work in person. Go to networking events with a small portfolio, or at least a business card, in hand. Share and discuss with other artists to help develop your skills.

One thing you will learn about art communities is that they are very welcoming. Every artist remembers when they decided to get started, or finished their first painting. They know what it’s like to be where you are, and they are always willing to help you learn. Use this to your advantage and get the most out of your digital art adventure.

We would love to hear your digital art story! When did you get started? Are you a new artist? Share your stories in the comments.

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About Tanya Lux

Tanya Lux is the Senior Product Marketing Manager for the Painter family of products and Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite. Working remotely from Chicago, IL during her 9 years at Corel, customer interaction has been the key to keeping a pulse on the needs of the market.

One Response to Getting stARTed with digital art

I started Digital Visual Art back in the 80’s with Corel Graphics Suite 3 (?) at my job in finance. We got Corel for some digital work and I began to use it. I also used Deluxe Paint on an Amiga personal computer, complete with camera scanner. I still am using Corel products. I have Painter 11 and Graphics Suite 12 and PaintShop Photo Pro X3. I supplement this with using free plugins from Filter Forge and also the free Paint.NET program for certain processes.

I am behind on upgrades and use an older PC because I am on a fixed income. I do the Art for fun and I have only sold small pieces to date. I am disabled so I do not work at any freelancing jobs.

My blog gatzkART! is where I showcase my work. I also explain my workflow with minimal details to give the viewer an idea of what I am doing and how. I recently surpassed 100,000 Pageviews for the blog!

I truly enjoy Corel’s products for Digital Visual Art, I find them versatile and full of useful tools.